Valve-operating means



p 1929' H. F. SPOEHRER 1,728,015

VALVE OPERAT I NG MEAN S Filed March 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7" INVENTOR HERMAN/Y1? JPOEHREK w] a M ATTORNEYS Sept. 10, 1929. SPQEHRER 7 1,728,015

VALVE OPERATING MEANS Filed March 25. 1927 s Sheet s-Sheet 2 2 gmg a lNVENTOR 374 L MA @454 ATTOR N EYS.

P 10, 1929- H. F. SPOEHRER 1,728,015

VALVE OPERATING MEANS Filed March 25. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTOR He? v/v E'Jfiozmma w 17 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN F. SPOEHRER, OF ST, LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO ST. LOUIS MOTOR VALVE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS,.MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

VALVE-OPERATING MEANS.

Application filed March 25, 1927. Serial No. 178,363.

This invention relates to improvements in valve operating means, and more particularly to automatic means for actuating valves of the rotating-stem or rising-stem types.

An object of this invention is to provide an electro-mechanical valve-operating means which will simulate closely the usual manual processes of opening, closing and firmly seating a valve used for the control of pressure or flow of fluids.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved electrical valve-operating mechanism adapted for use on valves of existing types, and which will not interfere with access to the valve body for packing and cleaning.

A further object of this invention is the construction of a motor driven valve operating device having a simple and novel electrical contacting device for automatically limiting the operation of the valve-actuating motor. 7

A still further object is to provide a valve operating mechanism having a resilient driving connection, adapted to serve as a flexible coupling between an actuating motor and the valve stem.

An additional object is the construction of 'a valve operating device of the above described type, which will provide automatic compensation for wear of the valve parts, and thus .will eliminate the necessity for changes in the mechanism and control switches on account of wear of the valve parts.

A further object is attained in the provision of avalve operating mechanism which 0 includes a flexible coupling comprising such an arrangement of springs and other holding means as will provide an added torque for initiating the opening of the valve.

Further objects and advantages of this in- 5 'vention Will appear from the drawings and the following detailed description.

My improvements consist in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter fully described, defi:

i0 nit ely pointed out in my claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional "elevation of the valve and valve operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. l; V

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of m limit switch, taken along the line3-3 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 44; of Fig. 3;

r Fig. 5 indicates a suggestedwiring diagram of my limit switch and motor;

'Fig. 6 is an exploded view of an approved form of flexible coupling, from which, for the sake of clearness, the springs have been omitted;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the flexible coupling assembly employed in my device;

F ig. 8 is a vertical section through the center of the flexible coupling assembly; and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section therethrough, taken along the line 99 in Fig. 8.

The structure of the driving mechanism, of the different parts of thelimit switch, and of the means for securing a flexible drive between my mechanism and valve stem, as well as the particular location of the switch, coupling, and related parts, may be varied substantially without departure from my invention as hereinafter described and claimed; the showing of this description and the drawings being merely an illustration of a single executional example of my invention in response to the statutory requirement relating to applications for a patent.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, 15 designates a reversible motor which may be of any suitable type, to provide a rotating motion in either direction for opening, as well as for closing the valve. The motor 15 is preferably provided with a shaft. 16 having a worm 17 thereon operatively connected with a worm gear 19. The worm gear 19 is preferably mounted upon a shaft 20 which is rotated thereby, and which carries a worm 21. This worm in turn serves to actuate a worm gear 22 which is mounted horizontally in the example shown. Gear 22 is preferably keyed or otherwise secured to a hollow shaft 23. The shaft 23 has a central axial aperture and may be provided with squared or tapered driving ends to actuate the valve stem and the limit switch.

All of the gearin may be, as is preferred, enclosed in a suita 1e housin 18. Such a housing, besides protecting t e mechanism from dust and dirt, serves to retain a lubricant around the gearing. The housing 18 may be extended upwardly or outwardly to enclose a limit switch, hereinafter described.

On the upper end of shaft 23, (see Fig. 3) and adapted to engage the squared end thereof, is preferably mounted a. rotating switch block 24. This block is preferably composed of a suitable insulating material such asfiber. Suitably spaced on the circumference of the rotating block 24, are a.

air of contact rin s 25. On the upper ace of the block 24, have shown a pair of breaker arm su ports 26 (see Fig. 4). Retained and positioned by eachbf the supports 26, is a breaker arm 27.

A suitable coil spring 28 tends to retain the breaker arms in the closed position shown in Fig. 4. The supports 26 are in electrical connection with the contact rings 25, and with the breaker arms 27. The breaker arms 27 each carry a breaker point 29 and the motor circuit is normally com leted through these arms and points. Ad acent the rotating switch block 24 is mounted a stationary post 30 of insulating material, which carries a pair of spring-pressed brushes 31, so positioned in. the post 30 as to contact with the rings 25. Suitable connecting terminals (not shown) may be rovided for the brushes 31. The 0st 30 a so carries an additional contact 32 isposed in the path of movement of a disc. 33, and also carries a plunger 41, normally spring-pressed to contact with the member 32. The disc is preferably formed of a suitable insulating material and carries a projection 38 (see Fi 3). The motor circuit is com leted throng members 32 and 41, except w en these contacts are separated by the projection 38 on disc 33. The, plunger 41 may be provided with an arm 42, adapted to be engaged by projection 38 (see Fig. 4). The members 41, 32, and 42, together with suitable terminals for wire connections, may be constructed as a unit so as to be slidably adjustable with respect to the post 30. Such an arrangement will provide ample adjustment for use on valves having stems of different rise, and will act as an adjustment for valve threads of different itch. The disc 33 is secured to, and rotated by a shaft 34. This shaft is of such diameter as to extend throu h the axial aperture of hollow shaft 23, and while rotatable therewith, is also movable axially, relative to shaft 23. The shaft 34 is also rotatably disposed with respect to the shaft 23 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The disc 33 is preferably provided with one or more depending members or lugs 35 which operate at times of relative rotation between shafts 23 and 34 to separate the breaker arms 27- and open the contact breaker points.

At 36 (in Fig. 5) I have shown an external control switch for the motor. This may consist of a manually actuated switch or any desired form of two way circuit closing device. This switch is, in essence, a single pole double-throw switch and its arran ement and mounting suited to the particu ar conditions of the installation. At 37 I have indicated the mains or current supply for operating the motor; 39 is a diagrammatic representation of the motor field.

In order to provide a limited relative rotation between certain parts of the driving mechanism, and to avoid an absolutely rigid driving connection, I prefer to use a .46 and 47 serve as abutments for the springs 49. As a means for securely positioning the springs inside of the flexible coupling, projections 48 may be provided on the members 46 and 47. The coupling further comprises a depending hollow central member which may be made integral with the driving member 50, and which serves to protect and artially to position the shaft 34. Any suita le form of shaft connection may be employed at the ends of the flexible coupling. For convenience I have shown the driving member 50 provided with a square opening51 to receive the uared end of shaft 23. The opposite or riven end of the coupling may be threaded, or otherwise formed so as positively to engage the valve stem.

The valve illustrated in Fig. 1 is of 1. conventional type having a stem 55, and a threaded portion 56 on the stem. The valve body is indicated at 57. The valve disc 58 may be of any suitable type, either rotating or non-rotating. In the present example the disc 58 engages the seat 59 to close the valve. The parts of the valve body may be secured together b convenient means 0 assembling the operat ing mechanism to the valve body, the use of bolts 60, of a little' greater than usual len b, will enable a bracket-61 to be bolted stud bolts 60. As a.

directly to the body of the valve. The bracket 61 may be provided with suitable bolt or screw holes (not shown) for mounting the assembly to a supporting wall or panel.

The operation of my device is thought to be apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts; A motor serves to rotate the worm 17 which in turn engages worm gear 19 to rot-ate shaft 20 and the worm 21. The worm 21 engages the worm gear22. This arrangement of worm drive provides a necessary gear reduction, which may amount to a ratio of several thousand to one; Besides providing this necessary reduction in a minimum amount of space, a worm drive is preferred because it is inherently irreversible, i. e., it cannot be actuated from the driven end. Although such a gear drive may be operated from the drivin end, in either direction, by the motor, this inherent irreversibility avoids any tendency toward oscillation in the system.

Gear 22 operates directly on the shaft 23, to actuate the flexible coupling, and hence the valve stem 55. It will be apparent from the type of connection between shaft 23 and the flexible coupling, that this shaft is practically relieved of any end thrust, and that gear 22, shaft 23 and the rotating block 24 are intended to operate without any appreciable endwise movement.

The direction of rotation of the driving mechanism and the valve stem, is determined by the direction of rotation of the motor.

It will be understood that in the described example, the shaft 23, the coupling, and hence the valve stem, rotate clockwise for closing the valve. The operation of the flexible coupling is such that when the motor is started, the driving lugs 46 act to compress the springs 49 between members 46 and 47. A rota-ting driving-cushion is thus provided, and the driving parts are permitted 'to attain normal speed before the driven parts start to move. This arrangement allows the motor to come up to speed before the load is applied at the beginning of the cycle of valve closing. The springs 49 will be partly compressed during the remainder of the time of closing the valve, but near the end of this movement, the springs 49 will be fully compressed as the valve is seated. The springs 49 provide an angularly yielding means whereby the last few revolutions of the motor are devoted to tightening the valve disc on its seat Without harmfully overloading the motor. It will be seen that the valve is always seated with a uniform pressure regardless of wear of the valve members.

When the motor 15 is reversed for opening the valve, the stored energy in springs 49 furnishes an added torque, tending to move the driving lugs in a counterclockwise direction, corresponding to the direction of rotation given them by the motor. Experiments show that this added torque, due to springs 49, is of material aid in initiating the opening of the valve. The springs cause the lugs 46 to strike the lugs 47 with a hammer-like blow to unseat the valve.

Throughout the remainder ofthe valve opening cycle, the plane surfaces of lugs 46 impinge against the like surfaces on lugs 47, and a positive driving connection is provided for opening the valve.

It will be seen that the parts of the coupling are axially as well as angularly flexible and hence the coupling serves to compensate for slight axial misalignments of the shaft 23 and the valve stem 55.

The limited relative rotation, provided by the flexible coupling, between shaft 23 and the valve stem 55, is invaluable in the operation of initiating the opening of the valve, as well as in providing for a relative rotation between parts of the limit switch, as hereinafter described.

The illustrated example of my limit switch depends partly for its operation upon the relative rotation occurring at times between the block 24 and the disc 33, and partly upon-an axial movement of the disc 33. The block 24 is fixedly connected to the hollow shaft 23, and hence rotates with the driving parts of the flexible coupling. The disc 33 is rigidly connected to shaft 34, which is connected with and driven by the driven member of the coupling. The relative rotation between block 24 and disc 33 is thus caused by, and corresponds to, the relative rotation between members 45 and 50 of the coupling, as hereinbefore described. This occurs near a limit of motion of the valve stem, and atsuitable times for operating the limit switch.

Upon closing the switch 36 to close the valve, as by'a downward movement in Fig. 5, the breaker points 29 being together, the circuit is completed through spring pressed brushes 31 and a part of the motor field adapted for operating the motor to give a clockwise rotation to shaft 23, to close the valve. The valve stem is then turned down time, the disc 33 remains practically stationary and the block 24 continues to rotate for I a part of a revolution, due to the flexible coupling, and the valve becomes firmly seated. The disc 33 being almost stationary during this last part of a revolution, the arms 27 are rotated clockwise against projections 35, one inside and one outside the breaker arms. This relative rotation thus spreads the breaker arms and separates breaker points 29 to open the motor circuit. In case an obstruction between the valve and valve seat prevents continued downward movement of the valve stem, the disc 33 is retarded or stop ed and the action of the limit switch is the same as in seating the Valve. The switch will open to stop the motor and prevent damage to the motor and mechanism.

The opposite rotation of the motor, for opening the valve, is effected by closing switch 36 in the opposite direction, say upwardly in Fig. 5. The motor circuit is now completed through stationary contacts 32 and 41. These remain together, since the projection 38 on disc 33 is below these contacts when the valve starts to open. An opposite portion of the motor field is energized to provide a counterclockwise rotation of shaft 23, and of the coupling and the valve stem. The shaft 34, being fixedly secured to the driven member 45 ofthe couplin and carrying disc 33, will be moved axia ly and upwardly with the valve stem as it rotates and rises. When the valve has opened sufficiently, preferably at a point somewhat short of its full upward travel, the disc 33 is in the plane of the contacts 32 and 41, and the arm 42'. The projectipn 38 then impinges upon the arm 42 and separates contacts 32 and 41 to open the motor circuit. The valve stem does not rise to its absolute upper limit. No relative rotation takes place between the block 24 and disc 33, due to the fact that both of these parts are positively driven to open the Valve. The plane surfaces of members 46 and 47 of the coupling are directly engaged for opening the valve, andthe springs 49 are inoperative to effect any relative rotation between block 24 and disc 33, such as occurs at the end of the valve closing period. The contact breaker points 29 thus remain closed, ready for closing'the valve as described above, upon throwing the control switch to its closing position. I

It will be seen that I have provided a complete, compact, self-contained valve-operating mechanism which is, applicable to the operation of ordinary types of valves in pre ent use, such as a globe valve.

0 viously, the motor control 36 may be located and. operated at a distance from the valve.

Although my invention. consists largely in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinbefore described and "particularly pointed out in the claims, yet I do not limit my invention to the precise form or construction of parts shown or the several parts thereof, inasmuch as various al-' terations may be made without changing the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A valve operating device comprising a rotary drivin unit, a valve having a stem,

. a driving mec' anism between the driving unit and the stem, and means adapted to be actuated by said driving mechanism, said means being normally rotatable responsively to movement of the stern, and arranged to be rotated relatively thereto to control said driving unit and limit the movement of the valve stem.

2. An operating mechanism for a valve, comprising a rotary driving unit, a valve and a valve stem, a driving connection between said driving unit and said stem, an axially movable member associated with said connection being movable with the valve stem, and means relating said member and stem for relative rotation to control said driving unit.

3. An operating device for a rising-stem valve, comprising a rotary driving unit, a motion limiting apparatus for the valve stem including a member adapted to rise with said stem, and means for relating said member and stem for relative rotation to control the driving unit, and means operati'vely connecting the driving unit and the stem of said valve.

4. An operating device for threaded-stem valve, comprising a rotary power unit, a transmission, and an axially movable and normally rotatable member associated with said transmission, and adapted to utilize the'threaded stem of said valve to limit the operation of and to control said power unit.

5. In combination with a rising-stem valve, a reversible driving unit, a driving gear, an axially movable and rotatable member associated with said gear and arranged to rise with said stem, the member being adapted to control said driving unit by axial movement, and upon rotation relatively to said gear.

6. In an operating mechanism for a valve, a driving unit, a combined control and trans mission means adapted to connect said unit to a valve, said means comprising a plurality of .membe1s having concentric axes, said members being relatively rotatably displaceable by the operation of said valve, and

adapted by such displacement 'to control said driving unit.

7. A valve operating mechanism compris ing a motor, a. valve stem and a driving gearing connecting said motor to said stem,

. said gearing having a plurality of relatively rotatable and axiall'y movable shafts adapted by such axial movement to limit the operation of said motor near one limit of valvestem travel and to be rotated relatively to each other to effect an additional limit of valve movement.

8. A valve operating mechanism comprising in combination a motor, a limit switch therefor, a worm adapted to be actuated by said motor, a worm gear and a shaft driven by said gear, a valve stem for said valve, a

resilient driving connection between said shaft and said valve stem, and means functionally associating the limit switch with said resilent connection.

9. A valve operating mechanism comprising a valve-stem, a motor, a switch therefor, aworm, a worm gear, a shaft having an opening extending axially therethrough, and adapted to be driven by said worm gear to actuate-said valve stem, and a switch actuating element in said shaft opening adapted to be actuated by said valve stem to control said motor. 10. An operating mechanism for a valve of rising-stem type, comprising a valve stem,

a motor, a worm associated with said motor,

a worm gear, a shaft adapted to be actuated by said gear and in operative connection I with the valve stem through a resilient driving means, said shaft having an opening extending axially therethrough, a member slidably disposed in said opening, and actuated by the valve stem, and a motor control switch actuated by said member.

11. An operating mechanism for a risin stem valve of standard type, having athrea ed valve stem, a motor, connecting gearing, including a rotatively resilient coupling between said motor and said valve stem, and means operable by said valve stem and adapted to utilize the usualthreaded portion thereof for limiting the rotation of said motor.

12. An operating mechanism for a standard globe valve, having a threaded, rising stem, including a reversible motor, gearing for operatively connecting said motor and valve stem, a rotatively resilient connection associated with said connecting gearing, and a limit switch operated by said resilient connection and adapted to utilize the normal axial movement of said valve stem due to its threaded portion, for limiting the operation of said motor in one direction of rotation,

13. Inv a valve operating mechanism comprising a power unit, a gear adaptedto be driven thereby, and a member adapted to connect said gear with the valve, a plurality of control elements for the power unit, each of said elements being rotatable with said member, and rotatable relative to each other.

14,. In a valve operating mechanism comprising a power unit, a gear adapted to be driven thereby and a member connecting said gear with the valve, a plurality of coaxial control elements each rotatable with said member, said elements being rotatable and movable axially, relative to each other, and adapted thereby to control said power unit.

15. In combination with a valve operating mechanism, a power unit, a gear adapted'to be driven thereby and a shaft connecting said gear with the valve, a control element. arranged for coaxial rotation with said shaft, and rotatably and axially displaceable I6 a valve, a control means for said motor comprising a plurality of circuit controlling members rotatable with said shaft and rotatable relative to each other.

18. In an electrically operated valve assembly, a motor, a gear arranged to be driven thereby, a shaft connecting said gear to a valve stem, a pair of coaxial, and relatively movable, rotatable members adapted to control said motor, one of said members carryin a circuit control, the other of said mem ers carrying a means adapted to effect a circuit control by relative motion between said rotatable members.

19. In a motor-operated valve assembly, a motor, a gear operatively associated therewith, a shaft connecting said gear to a Valve stem, a plurality of rotatable members coaxial with said shaft, one of said members carrying a circuit control for said motor, one of said members being positioned according to the extent and direction of rotation of said valve stem, and adapted thereby to efi'ect an additional circuit control over said motor.

20. In a motor-operated valve assembly, a motor, a gear adapted to be driven thereby, a shaft connecting said gear to a valve stem, a limit switch comprising a pair of axially movable and relatively rotatable members coaxial with said shaft and adapted to control said motor, one of said members carrying a pair of contact breaker points connected in a motor circuit, the other of said members having a projection thereon adapted to actuate said breaker I said members adapted to permit relative angular displacement thereof, and to-serve as a flexible couplingbetween said members,-

said connection being disposed between said members so as to provide a tlme lag between rotation of the driving and driven members and their res ective shafts.

22. In a Va ve operating mechanism, a rotatable driving member, a driven member, a resilient connection between said members and a housing for said connection and sockets integral with the housing for driving engagement with said members, said connection being adapted topermit relative rotation thereof, and to serve as a flexible joint therebetween, to compensate for inaccurate alignment between said members.

mechanism, a motor, a limit switch t 23. In a motor-driven valve assembly, a

motor, a valve stem, a driving connection 'of rotatable members between the motor and the stem, and means whereby said motor attains substantially a normal speed in advance of a movement of the valve stem, said means comprising a plurality of compression springs, adapted to serve as a flexible coupling between certain of said rotatable members.

24. In combination with a valve oglerating a driving member and a driven member normally substantially aligned, and a flexible coupling comprising a spring, operatively connecting said members, and adapted to serve as a lost-motion device therebetween, and a member operatively connecting the coupling and limit switch to control said switch by the lost-motion action of said coupling. a

25. In a motor-driven valve mechanism a 5 driving member and a driven member, normally substantially aligned, a connecting means adapted to provide a limited relative rotation between said members, and beyond said limited relative rotation, adapted to serve as a positive driving connection between said members, aswitch for the motor, and a switch actuating element engaging said connecting means, and adapted to utilize the relative rotation of said members to posi- ;tion said switch.

26. In a valve operating mechanism, a

driving member, a driven member, a flexible couplmg between sa1d members com rising member.

27. A flexible coupling for a motor-operated valve, comprising a driving shaft andv a driven shaft, 9. com ression spring operatlvely'connectmg sai shafts, and adapted to serve as a flexible coupling therebetween,

abutments for said sprm said spring and erefor,

abutments providing a limited relative rotation between said shafts in one direction of rotation thereof and a positive driving connection in the opposite direction of rotation, said coupling being adapted torovide a torque, in addition to that normal y exerted on said driving member, for initiating a movement of said driven member.

HERMANN F. SPOEHRER. 

